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Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Walking Out of the Pit

Luke 17: 3 - 5, Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him." And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." NKJV

Do you remember the song that we sang in Sunday school when we were children called, "Yes, Jesus loves me?" It made a bold statement of faith. There was a line in it that says, "I am weak, but He is strong." I have discovered that life offers many challenging opportunities that you and I must confront and conquer? Indeed, where we are weak in these challenges, if we allow Him, He will show Himself strong through us, and we will overcome.  It is interesting to know that sinners are faced with these same temptations and trials (1 Cor. 10: 13). But, unlike the sinner, we have committed to placing our trust in the Lord and not in ourselves. When we were in the world... separated from the life and power of God... we would just run to the ways of the world when trouble invaded our lives, but not now. No longer do we have to run into a deeper pit of bondage as a means of hiding from trouble. The salvation that we received through faith in Jesus offers us power to "overcome" this world...once we're saved, we don't just sit here, doing nothing, waiting to leave this world.

When the Lord came into our hearts, He removed the stronghold of the bondage to the spirit of fear and gave us His Spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. But it is at this juncture that many believers find themselves living in fear and not faith. It is HARD to move past "believing" in Christ... over into "trusting" in Christ. If you want to be free from the stronghold of fear on your mind that wants to rule the actions of your heart, you must confront your fears in faith. How many Christians today are living in a pit of some sort? How many are afraid to move forward, because they simply don't trust that God will be there when they tell the Pit goodbye? If you're in a pit of bondage, and you're a child of God, today is the day for a "breakout!!"

In our text scripture today, Jesus commanded His disciples to forgive a brother that offends him, and then repents of the offense. But, Jesus didn't stop there, He went on to say that they should forgive him, if need be, seven times in a day. When the disciples heard this saying, they responded just as you and I would respond; they asked Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus simply told them to activate the faith that they already had. Once you activate the seed of faith in your heart, then your confidence will grow, because you will begin to see the faithfulness of God in your obedience. Now you're walking by faith instead of abiding in a pit. The more you step out in faith, despite the fear that you encounter along the way, the greater your confidence will grow in Christ. With each act of obedience, you will grow from faith to faith, and glory to glory into the image of Christ.

Today, if you're being held in captivity by a habit or by the bondage to fear, and you desire to be free to walk by faith, then I want to agree with you for victory. TODAY! 

Matthew 18 : 19, Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. KJV

Father, I agree with my brother/sister concerning the fear in their heart that has placed them in bondage to a person, a habit, or a thing. In Jesus name, we declare that Christ has set them free, and they are free indeed! Let your power and glory manifest on them right now as I pray and release them to serve you without fear. In Jesus' name we ask.

Now that you have obeyed the Word in prayer, it's time to face the fear. Now you're going to activate your seed-faith, and you will experience the power of God to move. At this point, whatever you do, don't look back...even if it's just to see how far you've advanced away from your past. Keep your eyes on Jesus, the Strength and the Joy of your heart. Please let us know what the Holy Spirit has done in your life today; your testimony might empower others to take a stand of faith and be free.

The Power of Christ Is Liberating,
Pastor Asa

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